Drexel defeats CS Northridge; visits Kentucky Monday

Drexel began a two-game pre-Christmas road trip with a win, getting 24 points from junior guard Jamie Harris in a 75-63 trouncing of host Cal State Northridge last night.

The Dragons shot 48 percent from the field, and turned 18 Matadors turnovers into 24 points.

Harris, who shot 9-for-15 from the floor, finished with a season-high seven assists and shot 5-for-5 from the line. Guard Gerald Colds added 17 points, and freshman Chris Fouch netted 12 of the 16 total points from the bench.

Lenny Daniel's 13 points led Northridge (4-6), while Raymond Cody, Kenny Daniels and Vinnie McGhee added 10 apiece.

The Dragons took a 37-31 lead into the half, with Colds and Harris scoring 22 of the team's halftime total. The second half sealed the win for Drexel, as solid efforts from the floor(13-for-24), free-throw line (9-for-9) and under the basket (17 rebounds) allowed the Dragons to improve to 6-5 overall.

There was little time to celebrate as the Dragons boarded a flight to Lexington, Ky., to prepare for a Monday-night showdown at Rupp Arena against No. 3 Kentucky at 7 o'clock.

Drexel will close 2009 by hosting Rhode Island at 7 p.m. Dec. 29, then open its Colonial Athletic Association schedule at 2 p.m. Jan. 2 at Delaware. *